Introduction
 The IASF (International All-Star Federation) Coach Credentialing program has proven to be a great educational asset to the cheer community around the world and has now become the worldwide standard for coaches & athletes! The credentialing program organizes coaching competency in three core areas:
- Tumbling;
- Stunts; and
- Basket tosses.
Each core area has 6 levels (except for basket tosses which is not applicable at Level 1, and tumbling which the highest attainable level is Level 5) that stands alone, so you can credential to different levels in each of the three core areas.
The credentialing program process with focused time on training the specifics of hands-on and written exam elements that will help you become the safest and most efficient coach possible, involving individual preparation before the course as well as intensive instruction on the day of hands-on exams.
Upon evaluation and successful validation, coaches will receive credentials for the level(s) passed. The credentials come in a form of certificates which last for 3 years. For a coach to be credentialed, one must first be a CAS member. The credentials of the coach remains valid through the validity period of 3 years only if the CAS membership of the coach remains current. Coaches have undergo a refresher course when the 3 years expires.
Credentialing Components
The credentialing programme consists of 4 components:
- Written Exam;
- Hands-On Test (HOT);
- Practical Field Experience (PFE); and
- Compulsory Instructional Session (CIS)
Written Exam
The written exams are intended for you to study, learn, and internalize the components of proper progressions, training techniques, and safety.
The written tests, answer sheet and corresponding reference materials are available for download below. The questions from the written test will reference the corresponding level rules and allowed skills. For each skill, by level you will need to:
- Download the relevant reference materials and the answer sheet.
- Review the reference materials.
- Answer all the questions on the test paper (on the last page of the reference materials) on the answer sheet.
- Bring the answer sheet with you to the HOT to be submitted to the Regional Director / Instructor
Download the tests and answer sheet by clicking on the links below.
Stunts
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Tosses
|
Tumbling
|
| Level 1 |
NA |
Level 1 |
| Level 2 |
Level 2 |
Level 2 |
| Level 3 |
Level 3 |
Level 3 |
| Level 4 |
Level 4 |
Level 4 |
| Level 5 |
Level 5 |
Level 5 |
| Level 6 |
Level 6 |
NA |
| Answer Sheet |
The tests and answer sheet is currently unavailable. It will be available for downloads when the next credentialing dates are released.
Hands-On Test
The Hands-On portion of credentialing is to prove that coaches understand how to teach certain skills within each level. Coaches will neither have to perform these skills nor will be working with athletes during the testing.However, coaches will have to explain to the instructor how to perform each skill just as if one were coaching a team. The instructor will have a list of key points that each participant must cover in order to pass that skill and or level. Coaches do not have to cover the key points word for word as listed on the instructor’s paper. The instructor’s job is to validate that coaches cover in their own words the key points of each skill in order to teach proper technique and ensure that you know what you are talking about in order to keep the athletes safe.
Coaches must score a 70% or higher to be credentialed at that level.
Practical Field Experience (PFE)
A coach is required to accumulate a specific amount of coaching hours in the subject level in order to be credentialed at the next higher level for that specific subject. This is to ensure that coaches are proficient in coaching foundational skills and are aware of skill progressions, thus enabling a higher standard in coaching as they progress through the Levels. Coaches are required to get their gym owners to validate their coaching hours in the PFE form. For self-employed coaches, you will validate your coaching hours yourself in the PFE form, and in addition providing supporting documents/details.
Levels 1 and 2 are entry level, and therefore do not require coaches to have coaching experience prior to seeking credentialing.
To proceed on to Levels 3 and 4, coaches are required to have a minimum of 100 hours coaching experience at Level 1 and/or 2 in the category for which you are requesting credentialing. E.g. If you are seeking credentialing in Levels 3 and 4 stunts and tumbling, you will need to accumulate 100 coaching hours in Level 1 and/or 2 stunts and another 100 hours in Level 1 and/or 2 tumbling.
For Level 5, coaches will need to accumulate a minimum of 150 hours in coaching experience at level 3 and or 4 in the category for which you are requesting credentialing. This is in addition to the 100 hours at Levels 1 and/or 2, not just an additional 50 hours. So the total number of coaching hours is 250, with a minimum of 150 hours spent at Levels 3 and 4.
Download the PFE form here.
The PFE is currently unavailable. It will be available for downloads when the next credentialing dates are released.
Compulsory Instructional Session (CIS)
As training opportunities and gym facilities are not as readily available in Singapore as compared to the US, it is more difficult for an athlete/coach seeking credentialing to obtain coaching experience or learn proper progressions and coaching techniques under the guidance of more experienced coaches. To create a sustainable system, CAS has worked with IASF to provide a required instructional component in addition to the other 3 credentialing components.
Coaches will attend a compulsory instructional session prior to the HOT, where the instructor/s will go through the fundamentals of the skills at the particular level. The CIS is designed to highlight main teaching points of the skills as opposed to a "teach from scratch" session. All coaches are advised to take responsibility for their initial learning curve and come into the testing day with as much base knowledge as possible.
For coaches who have minimal experience in cheerleading may opt for an in-depth CIS.
Before the Exam
When you register for the credentialing levels you wish to take, you’ll need to download your written test materials to begin your work and study. Please ensure that you download the materials ahead of time which allows you all the time you need to read over the content in a relaxed environment, get familiar with it, and note all of the questions that you may have. It will also be useful to familiarize yourself with common cheer terminology, available in the glossary on CAS website.
We fully recognize that every coach will enter the credentialing process with experience ranging from virtually nothing to strong expertise, so allowing the written material to be addressed in your own time allows for variances.
No matter what you already do or do not know about the exam content, you will be asked to read and study the material at your own pace ahead of the course day. You will also be asked to complete as much of the written exams as possible before you arrive, making note of any queries you have so that the instructors can address them with you and teach the specific skills that matter to your specific situation.
On Exam Day
Please bring ALL your credentialing paperwork with you on the day of the HOT, as you will refer to it during the CIS and will be submitting the answer sheet for scoring. Breaks will be scheduled by the instructors on an as-needed basis. As you take the HOT with your examiner, you will not be able to move forward to the next level that day, but you will be eligible to try again at the next credentialing session.
Once all your exams are completed, you will check-out with a designated staff member who will ensure you have all your exams sorted and confirm all of your details for sending certificates.
Reminders: Things to Bring
- Photo ID (for registration purposes)
- Answer Sheet
- Reference Materials
- PFE Form & Supporting Documents (if applicable)
- Registration Form (if applicable)
After Exam Day
Once all the exams are handed in, they will be submitted to IASF office in USA to be scored. The result are estimated to be delivered in about 8 weeks, which CAS will process and then forward them to you via the address you provided.
Enquiries
Please forward all enquiries to
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